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An Evening at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts

I had the pleasure of attending the ASID Annual Membership Mixer at the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts on Thursday evening and was astounded to find a hidden gem! Hugh Grant, the creator, curator and guiding light of the Kirkland Museum has done a masterful job of putting together a wealth of pieces from the past 100 years, including a collection that showcases the depth and quality of art in Colorado. Hugh speaks of the collections with passion paired with a wonderful sense of humor. His eyes sparkle as he talks about the history of the museum, his experiences with Vance Kirkland and the collections he has created…and his enthusiasm is contagious.

Hugh Grant - Founder, Director and Curator of the Kirkland Museum for Fine and Decorative Arts

The museum houses three primary collections, an international decorative arts collection, a regional collection with a focus on Colorado art, and a retrospective of the work of Vance Kirkland.

The three collections make Kirkland Museum different than other museums and the “salon style” pairing of furniture, art and decorative accessories in which they are displayed gives the visitor a museum experience that is more like walking into one’s home. In one of the rooms there were “Piranha” chairs from Pierre Sala, dinnerware from Frank Lloyd Wright,colorful paintings from Vance Kirkland and art pieces from various Colorado artists. What could be a horrific mish-mash if not put together just right, was curated so beautifully as to draw your eye from one piece to the next without the sense of anything being out of sync. It was the perfect venue for a gathering of interior designers!

ASID Annual Members Mixer at the Kirkland Museum

Historic Original Studio

Below are some images from both the Kirkland Museum website and Wikipedia showing the explosive colors and the eclectic mix you will find throughout the Museum. Be sure to explore every floor as well as the sculpture garden – you wouldn’t want to miss anything!

"Invasions of Mysteries near Scorpio" by Vance Kirkland

"Farewell Summer" by Edward Marecak

Studio exhibition room including Chair, early 1960s, by Charles Deaton (1921-1996), from his Sculptured House, Genesee, Colorado; 2 – Door Cabinet, 1968, by Paul Evans (1931-1987); “JESTER” Modular Sofa/ Chairs, 1991, by GAETANO PESCE, (Italian, b. 1939); and Heart Chair, 1958, designed by Verner Panton (Danish, 1926-1998) mfr: Fritz Hansen, Allerod, Denmark (1872-1998).

The below vignette illustrates the

Interior of the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art; featuring a Frank Lloyd Wright dinette and Vance Kirkland Paintings

The Denver Post mentions “Indians on the Platte River” by Charles Steward Stobie in the article by Ray Mark Rinaldi on how Hugh Grant is working to build the reputation of Colorado Art through his collection.

Indians on the Platte River, 1888, by Charles Stewart Stobie (1845-1931), Oil on canvas, Collection of Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.

I purchased a membership for myself and a guest because I can’t wait to go back and spend more time immersed in the world of the Kirkland Museum. To find out more, subscribe to “The Dot” their wonderful blog where you can keep up with their exhibits, collections and newsworthy events.

Photo Images 1,2 Lynne Bier – Home on the Range Photo Images3-6,8 the Kirkland Museum of Fine Art and Photo Image 7 Wikipedia

July 16, 2012
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Western Style

Designing for the Western Lifestyle: New Mexico Territorial

Natural materials, old-world craftsmanship and unique architectural elements are trademarks of New Mexico Territorial style. Although most often found in the American Southwest and the Texas Hill Country, the use of reclaimed materials, stone and energy-efficient straw bale and adobe construction create an aesthetic that lends itself to the Rocky Mountain region as well.

The straw bale construction is not only a signature component of adobe-style homes, but its soft lines and undulating surfaces blend beautifully with the reclaimed fir timbers, terra cotta floors and textured plaster walls.

“Nichos” are both practical and decorative elements in adobe architecture and were originally designed to accommodate everything from built-in cabinets to religious artifacts. We incorporated a large arched nicho into the upper hall of this New Mexico Territorial style home to hold a beautiful antique cabinet with a rich aqua painted finish. Native American rugs, like the one you see on the wall, are a great way to blend the New Mexico style into a Rocky Mountain home.

Below is another example of incorporating “nichos” in New Mexico Territorial design.

The use of antique shutters inset into the walls as windows creates both function and interest.

Reclaimed wood bookshelves add interest to the Kiva-style fireplace wall and provide a wonderful framework for displaying a collection of books and pottery.

The shady colonnaded back porch with its colorful Mexican blankets and pillows provides the perfect spot to enjoy the view while staying out of the hot mid-day sun.

Our goal at Home on the Range is to work with our clients to create timeless interiors that reflect their individual tastes and style preferences. Click on the “Like what you see” button on the right to schedule a complimentary consultation or to find out more about any of our projects.